Earthen beauties for an ethnic touch

Indian homes which had moved from the old world warmth to contemporary design features with a clinical ambience are now making a full circle with modern designs meeting old concepts that create spaces and gives us the best of both worlds.

And pottery and terracotta art is one that is helping this transition. Its ability to take one closer to an ambience of the homes of yore even in the most modern of the duplex apartments is one of its most appealing features. And pottery is one art that helps us remain a little closer to nature. Whether it be the terracotta lantern that you can hang near the entrance of your home or the mud wind chimes which move with the slightest of breeze, the options are endless.
Choicest spread

If you are the kind who likes the rustic, ethnic look of terracotta, then you should head straight to the bustling Habsiguda-Tarnaka road. The whole stretch has hawkers squatted on sidewalk with their varied product range. And the best pieces of art can be found here that promise to add that ethnic, a la village touch to the house.

Most of the artefacts are from Rajasthan and a few from Bihar. Different types of vases, which are not too heavy to carry are available here. The stool with an elephant carving on it is also an ideal piece for the house. Or choose the plate shaped bowl (also known as ‘uruli’), pour water into this and decorate it with flowers and voila! You have the perfect showpiece for your living room. Terracotta is also a natural choice to decorate your gardens. From the birdbaths to huge earthern bowls with exquisite designs or the motifs of animals and birds add to the beauty of the patch of green at home. One can also choose from a wide range of pitchers imparting a look of tradition to the homes. If you are a lover of music go in for the mud shaped ‘veena’ or sitar in different sizes from small to large. The clay used is multi-layered one which is moulded into different shapes and then baked in a traditional oven. Most of the items are light-weight while a few vases are heavier.

The price range of these terracotta art pieces are much lesser than those that are bought from a mall or at an exhibition. And if you are an expert haggler, then the hawkers are sure to reduce the price by at least Rs.20 to Rs.30.

The vases are priced at anywhere between Rs.250 and upwards, while the ‘urulis’ or the earthern bowls are priced from Rs.180 and more depending on its size. The elephant shaped stool with a pitcher on top comes for a cool Rs.550 while the hanging lamps are priced in the range of Rs.50 to Rs.100. And with Deepavali round the corner, you can choose the lamps for Rs.45. So, the next time you want terracotta, you know where to go!